Why I am a Psycho Assertionist and not a Biblical Rationalist
Apr 25th, 2007 by David S
I have just finished reading an article titled Biblical Rationalism vs. Psycho Assertionism. It confirmed my fear that there is a certain method of argumentation that some philosophers who believe themselves to be Christian use to destroy any assertions made by one who is asserting that God can only be known subjectively and therefore one must have faith in that which cannot be known objectively. I must admit that perhaps the reason that I am commonly attacked in this way is because I normally make assertions based on the presupposition that every Christian knows this. First, I should clarify that my intent is not to prove whether the style of argumentation used by biblical rationalists does or does not follow the rules that govern philosophical argumuent, but only that the one who defends the Bible or God by use of rational arguments and does not believe himself to presuppositionaly make certain assertions needs to awaken and ask himself if he is selling a false God by thinking that one does not neccesarily need to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Now in order that this post not be destroyed by the attack brought on by such people, who employ those tactics that have their origin from lies that Satan has introduced into the world and used well meaning men to manifest it’s influence and become nearly pervasive in the human mind, I will show you how it works.
-They might begin by asking me: Where is it that you got your information to make the assertion that these men of whom you speak are what you assert them to be?
-And I would answer: The Holy Spirit.
-And they might reply: Well, what is the Holy Spirit to you?And on what basis did you form that opinion?
-And I would answer: The Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit and I do not know how I know I just believe it to be true. This relationship is in agreement to what the Bible says concerning the Holy Spirit and the one in whom He dwells.
-And they might ask: Where in the Bible does it testify to it?
-And I would answer: It is of little use to tell you because you do not believe that there is a Holy Spirit.
-And they might respond: Well, certainly that is not the response of one who has the Holy Spirit.
-And I would respond: Actually it is.
-Then they would ask: Who do you think you are? What makes what you believe true and what we believe false? Who’s to say which one of us is right?
-And I would respond: I am David Swink, a man just like you, except one who believes that what the Bible says is true and not one who only believes that the Bible is true. It is not my belief that makes what I believe,true; it is in that to which the Holy Spirit testifies to be true, that I have chosen to believe. But this belief that you think yourself to have is not belief because that which you claim to believe can be objectively shown to be true. But you are still working from a presupposition that is believed subjectively. And the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who will reveal which one of us is right. But please understand that I have no desire to prove that I am right, because it is impossible to prove something subjective objectively.
Okay, now that that is done, I want to make it clear that if there is any part of that that anyone has a question concerning ,please ask. But if you are simply offended or angered by it and don’t agree that what I assert is true, please don’t use those tactics that I showed above. Instead make your own case that the opposite is true. PLEASE!
David,
First, I am struck by one particular phrase in this blog. It is this:
“I have chosen to believe.”
This is the root of presupposition; what one chooses to believe. This decries the subjective approach to which is seems you are advocating.
However, if one believes that God is a real “personality,” there is no subjective approach that can be made with any integrity (which is my presupposition). God is God, independently of what I believe about God. Therefore, it seems not only possible that an objective understanding of God is possible, but necessary.
If however, one cannot understand this “objective” God, then one is forced to deal honestly with the fact that one has reached one’s intellectual limits while yet maintaining that God is real and that there is no subjectivity in the matter only unfamiliarity with the subject in question.
Those are my those. You did a good job writing; it was stimulating reading.
Later man,
Rod
Rod,
You said: If however, one cannot understand this “objective�? God, then one is forced to deal honestly with the fact that one has reached one’s intellectual limits while yet maintaining that God is real and that there is no subjectivity in the matter only unfamiliarity with the subject in question.
Now God is objective, in the fact that He exists. This is true for me because I believe it to be so. The establishment of this truth can only be approached subjectively; in the fact that I can not prove it to be so. I am convinced that the reason that so many people who say that they believe in God but their actions do not proceed from that belief is because they have fancied that God’s existence can be accepted as being objectively proven. The reason this is disasterous to a person is that their root presupposition is still doubt and not faith that God is. Then of course the problem arises, as you stated, no subjective approach can be made with any integrity. This is where faith makes it’s key move, for it encounters the God-Man, and must choose either to believe in Him or not. If faith makes that “leap” it now finds itself on solid ground. For the Lord Jesus came and was seen and touched. Now one has an objective foundation, “the rock”, to build upon. And a foundation holds together whatever is built upon it. That which is now objective to me once was subjective because I related to it objectively. But when God brought me to that moment of despair I heard the Lord Jesus call out: “Come hither to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, I will give you rest.” And so I went to Him and now He is with me, and I am certain of this. But certain in an objective sence? No; in a subjective sense. Can anyone prove that the Lord is not in me? No; and all I am to do is live an act out of this presupposition. Am I delusional? Maybe; but I am more certain(subjectively) that Jesus is the Christ than I can accept the perception(objectively) of other men that I am delusional. Only the Lord Himself truely knows; and “I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him till that day.”
Thank you so much for the encouragement.